About Referees

REFEREES ARE VOLUNTEERS

As with all of the roles at AYSO Region 18, ALL OF OUR REFEREES ARE VOLUNTEERS. Please be kind to and respectful of all referees. They are fellow parents and friends from our community, who are donating their valuable free time to the league, to help provide high-quality, low-cost soccer for all of our kids. Please thank them for donating their weekends for our kids.

WHY REFEREE?

Why should you become an AYSO Referee? It's rewarding, you learn about this beautiful game, and working with kids is great fun! What better way to learn about the game of soccer, for both yourself and your children, than to take a class on the Laws of the Game. You can become a better coach, better supportive soccer parent, and better soccer fan if you really understand the game.

Also, WE NEED YOU!! We can’t have games without referees. Lots of referees. We need a Referee (Center Referee) and 2 Assistant Referees (Linesmen) for each game. The referee’s job is to be the official in charge of the game. The Referee is the independent arbiter and manager of the game. The Referee's authority extends to everyone at the field, including players, substitutes, team officials, spectators, and even assistant referees.

The referee is responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game in such a way as to keep the game safe, fair, and fun for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators and themselves. The Referee interferes with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful and trifling offenses. Referees only make calls for offenses they are sure occurred.

We want our kids to continue to play, and they keep playing as long as it is fun. AYSO Referee training is designed to aid the Referee to interpret the Laws of the Game in an age appropriate manner to help ensure a Fun, Fair, and Safe environment for all involved

HOW DO I BECOME A REFEREE?

Step 1 – Register as an AYSO Volunteer

All referees must register as volunteers annually. Youth volunteers (ages 10-17) will need a parent or guardian to complete the on-line volunteer process for them. Register on-line as a Volunteer with AYSO18 at www.ayso18.org

Step 2 – Complete Safe Haven and Concussion Awareness

All Referees must complete: - AYSO Safe Haven (Course MT02) - Concussion Awareness (AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness)Both courses are available through AYSOU.org. Both courses can be accessed under the 'My Courses' tab from the red ribbon at the top of the home page. (AYSOU Instructions)

Step 3 – Attend a Regional Referee Course

New Referees must complete either the Regional Referee Course (for 10U) or the 8U Official Course (for 8U).

Two ways to complete Regional Referee Training: Option 1. Take an 8 hour classroom course called “Regional Referee Course," and pass the test at the end of the class. Option 2. Complete an online training course called Regional Referee Online Companion Course” (take at your own pace but should be less than 3 hours) and complete the classroom companion part of the course (less than 3 hours) ,which is designed as a review for the test, and pass the test.

Find these classroom courses at AYSOU.org. Either of these courses can be accessed under the 'Live Courses' tab from the red ribbon at the top of the home page and then scrolling over the dates in the calendar on the left side of the page to identify and select the date your course is offered. Then select the 'Sessions' button next to your course to select the specific offering of your choice. (AYSOU Instructions)

Note: Prior to taking the classroom portion of courses, you must complete the AYSO Safe Haven and Concussion Awareness training.

More Information for AYSO Region 18 Referees is available on our REFEREES page.